I was going to add him and maybe even Carlos Santana, but I thought it
would be interesting just to see the results for two guitarists,
especially theses ones for how celebrated and influential they are. By
the way, who did you vote for?

2 of the greatest guitarists who ever strapped on the instrument. Holdsy is absolutely my favorite guitarist - a guy that completely developed a unique style and has the holy trifactor of stunning technique, a great sound and an advanced harmonic vocabulary. And yet, one could make the same argument for Johnny Mac. I have pretty much everything these guys have ever recorded. Another poll I'm simply not voting in. I expect JM to win since he's the better known of the two.

http://martinwebb.bandcamp.com

The notes are just an interesting way to get from one silence to the next - Mick Gooderick

DiMeola might have been interesting as his technique is on par with AH and JM, however I don't feel he's nearly the groundsbreaking musician they are. Santana? I love early Santana, when he had some fire in his playing, but he's simply not on the same level as these guys, either harmonically or technique-wise. How about John Scofield? Probably not all that well known in prog circles, but another harmonically gifted player with a unique voice and one who has influenced a generation of jazz guitarists.

http://martinwebb.bandcamp.com

The notes are just an interesting way to get from one silence to the next - Mick Gooderick

DiMeola might have been interesting as his technique is on par with AH and JM, however I don't feel he's nearly the groundsbreaking musician they are. Santana? I love early Santana, when he had some fire in his playing, but he's simply not on the same level as these guys, either harmonically or technique-wise. How about John Scofield? Probably not all that well known in prog circles, but another harmonically gifted player with a unique voice and one who has influenced a generation of jazz guitarists.

I've heard a bit of John Scofield from his work with other musicians such as Miles, Herbie, etc. I think he is an amazing guitarist with a real knack for originality and like you said, chord theory/knowledge. He probably got a lot of influence from Holdsworth and vice versa. I really like Santana, especially on the album where he collaborated with John. The Coltrane cover is excellent - A Love Supreme.

I was going to add him and maybe even Carlos Santana, but I thought it
would be interesting just to see the results for two guitarists,
especially theses ones for how celebrated and influential they are. By
the way, who did you vote for?

Two of the absolute best. I think Holdsworth has the better technique, the most identifiable style, the more complex musical tonalities, but his adherence to electric and synthetic abstractions makes a lot of his music sound the same. McLalughlin is more conventional but also more flexible in what he plays - he has offered us a wider diversity of sounds and styles. I will choose based on the most recent albums I have purchased by these two giants: McLauhglin's Que Allegria is mostly acoustic. The music runs from contemplative to high energy, from straight jazz to flamenco, and he is one of the few that can convincingly wail on an acoustic. I like this album a lot. On the other hand, Holdsworth's Sixteen Men of Tain has proven a disappointment. I really cannot tell one track from the other, most of what he does on it he has done countless times before and for once I will accuse him of merely noodling. The vote goes to St. John.

actually each one is the best in their own; JM on Alternate picking and holdsworth on legato

they both are Coltrane heirs but in diferent ways; you can listen to Sheets of sound on Mclaughlins Playing but you will hear the modal stuff heard in my favorite things, so thouse are very diferent but comes from the same

Holdsworth a bit boring
McLaughlin a bit annoying
Not much of a fan of fusion now. Compositions are a mess usually and there's too many solos. I don't really like violin which is not classical style either
Canterbury fusion and zeuhl is cool though. Has some great melody and colour

Edited by dr prog - October 24 2013 at 16:46

All I like is prog related bands beginning late 60's/early 70's. Their music from 1968 - 83 has the composition and sound which will never be beaten. Perfect blend of jazz, classical, folk and rock.

Tough choice...I like them both for different reasons...I find McLaughlin's soloing more fiery & emotional while Holdsworth's is just drop dead unbelievable, he has to have the most gifted solo technique of any player out there. Got to meet Holdsworth in '85 at a promo performance he gave at Manhattan Beach Music in LA...he was incredibly nice and humble (as most of the great prog musicians are) so he gets my vote

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